Yes! You're back, hello. Here's the good part. Well sort of, I like it so there. Anyway here's sadness w/ goodbyes and all. (Remy Zero lyrics from 'Save Me') Without any further ado. . .

May angels lead you in:

~*I feel my wings have broken*~

in your hands

I feel the words unspoken

inside

when they pull you under

and I would give you any thing you want

you were all I wanted

all my dreams are fallin' down

~*crawlin' round (and round and round)*~

They all knew how to say goodbye. It was an easy word to say. Yet not one of them could bring themselves to walk through the door, where their friend lay. Jesse was the first one to take the step toward saying farewell.

***Jesse walked into the room. He was alone with Shalimar. He gazed at his longest and truest friend. Her body was blistering, but some places were still burned. He walked toward her and sat down on the stool Adam had placed there.
"Hey Shal" He took a breath. This was, by far the hardest thing he had done. "We've been through a lot huh? How can I say goodbye to you? I love you so much Shal" He took her limp hand in his. "I have so much to tell you. Emma and I are together. Can you believe it? The most beautiful girl in the world." He shook his heard in disbelief. "Shal, we-we just made love, and it was amazing. I'm in love with her, but you probably don't want to hear about that stuff. . . " He was getting choked up again "Shal, you can't die. Who's gonna be there to tell me when I'm stupid? Who's gonna kick my ass when we're practicing? I thought if anyone would go it would be me. Shal, you gotta know that I would do anything to be in your place right now. I wish it was me. I don't know what I'm gonna do without you. I'd get on with my life eventually, because I know that's what you would want me to do. But we WILL find that cure, or die trying. "Jesse laid her hand back down on her chest. He smoothed the hair away from her face and leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead. "I promise you" Jesse turned and with a single glance back at Shalimar's damaged form he left the room. If he had looked a moment longer he would have seen Shalimar's mouth curve into a slight smile.

***They all turned as Jesse slowly came out of the room that contained their companion. He had been the first. They all would have to say goodbye. But how could they? ***

***Emma felt her presence in the room. She knew she was alive. Her heart beat was there. Shalimar was a fighter, always. Emma went to her side. "Shal, I know you can hear me. Fight this ok? We need you. I need my best friend back. I meant to tell you, Jess and I . . . well, I guess you know. But that's wonderful. God, Shal, why did you have to fight Gabriel? What was he doing to you? Why didn't you just let me help? I hate you! No, I don't. I just don't want to lose you. I love you Shalimar. I can't say goodbye. Not like this." Emma stepped back and hit Shalimar with a sonic blast, entering her mind.:

****"Shal? Shalimar?!!!"
"I'm here Emma" Shalimar limped out into view "You're in my mind"
"Yes" The two embraced "Are you ok?"
"Weak, I'm not going to last much longer Emma" Emma could feel it. She was weaker than she'd ever felt before.
"We'll find the cure, I promise, Shal."
"Don't promise thinks you might not be able to deliver." Emma knew it there was a possibility there was no cure, or that they wouldn't find it but she didn't want to believe it. They had to save Shalimar." Emma, if I don't make it tell them all that I lived a good life, with you guys. Tell them, that I love them. Tell them Emma. Don't fail me"*******

Emma felt herself pull out. That had really been Shalimar, she knew it. She went over to her friend and took her hand.
"I will never fail you, I swear it" Emma knew that she had to go, the longer they delayed the greater the chance that Shal would not make it. Emma kissed her friend and turned and walked out,

*** The door opened for the second time and Emma walked out. Brennen knew it was his turn and that he couldn't be long, for every moment they delayed was a moment of Shalimar's life that they wouldn't get back.

Brennen stepped in the room to see the woman he loved lying on the bed dying. Step by step he walked over to Shalimar, took her hand in his and said the things he might never get another chance to say
"Hey Shal, I wanted to tell you that. . . That I love you, ok? I love you so much. So you can't die. I-I can't live without you, and I don't think I could even if I tried, so you see you have to hold on, for me, sweetie. I save you, if It's the last thing I have to do" He placed one gentle kiss on her lips. "For me" he whispered an left the room.

****They all had gone, no it was time. Time to go into the beyond, time to save their comrade. Time to go and face what they all knew must happen. Destiny had written itself, all they could do was carry it out

~*I see the world has folded in your heart*~

I feel the waves crash down inside

and they pull me under

and I would give you anything you want

you were all I wanted

all my dreams have fallen down

crawlin round (and round and round)
somebody save me

let your warm hands break right through

somebody save me

I don't' care how you do it

just stay here with me

I've made this whole world shine for you

just stay, stay

come on

~*I'm still waiting for you*~